GPT-Image-2.6 Flare
GPT-Image-2.6 Flare is OpenAI’s November 2026 image-generation and editing model for fast iteration. Its Image API supports text and image inputs with image output. The documented examples below have not been executed against this model.
- Images 2.6 explained
Release context, model choice, format restrictions and accurately labeled Codex workflow examples.
- GPT-Image-2.6 Sunburst
Detailed generation and precise edits: exact API ID, formats, controls, token rates and documented requests.
- GPT-Image-2.5 Flare
Keep the previous version as a separate migration baseline.
- AI Model API
Understand model, endpoint, access and billing boundaries.
🚀Function Overview
OpenAI positions Flare for fast iteration. Use the exact Image API model ID and verify output-format restrictions. No direct Flare API request or matched performance evaluation was executed here; the linked Codex samples have an unidentified backend.
Key Features
- Model alias gpt-image-2.6-flare; the current card lists no separate dated snapshot.
- Text and image inputs; image output. /v1/images/generations and /v1/images/edits are supported; the 2.6 card does not list direct Responses or Chat Completions support.
- Generate PNG, JPEG or WebP; SVG and animated GIF are generation-only formats, not edit outputs.
- Complexity: low, medium or high, default high. Quality: auto, low, medium, high, xhigh or max. These are separate controls.
- Markup edits accept an aligned transparent PNG overlay matching the first source image. Omit input_fidelity for 2.6 edits.
- GIF: frame_count 2–64 (default 9); frame_duration_ms 20–2000, rounded to 10 ms (default 200). Model/request pixel limits also apply.
- SVG: n=1; static vector content. A generated reference image is used for SVG authoring; image and authoring-model tokens both contribute to cost.
- GIF and SVG exclude streaming, partial images, output_compression and prompt_rewriter. Only use GIF frame controls with GIF output.
- Use PNG or WebP for transparent backgrounds and inspect decoded alpha. The linked Codex samples do not identify their backend model.
- OpenAI reports Flare generation in as little as six seconds at low quality. This is a vendor claim, not a measured or guaranteed response time.
- Published per-million-token rates: $5 text input, $1.25 cached text input, $8 image input, $2 cached image input, $30 image output. Listed cached rates do not verify cache eligibility for a particular direct request.
Use Cases
- •Rapid product-visual iterations
- •Interactive creative applications
- •Short GIF experiments with verified motion
- •SVG icon or illustration drafts
⚙️Input Parameters
model
stringSet gpt-image-2.6-flare explicitly at https://api.openai.com/v1/images/generations or /v1/images/edits. This is not a ChatGPT subscription model-picker label.
prompt
stringDescribe the scene or exact edit and the details that must survive. For GIFs describe the movement and loop.
image / markup
fileEdit input files; markup is an optional transparent PNG overlay matching the first image. This input is not demonstrated by the JSON generation examples.
quality / complexity
stringquality: auto, low, medium, high, xhigh, max. complexity: low, medium, high (default high). Tune separately.
size / background
stringUse a supported pixel size or auto. Background accepts auto, opaque or transparent; use PNG/WebP for raster alpha.
output_format
stringpng, jpeg or webp; generation additionally supports svg and gif. SVG requires n=1; both special formats have separate restrictions.
frame_count / frame_duration_ms
integerGIF only: 2–64 frames and 20–2000 ms per frame, rounded to 10 ms; defaults 9 and 200. Respect pixel limits.
💡Usage Examples
Example 1
Input Parameters
{
"model": "gpt-image-2.6-flare",
"prompt": "Create a clean ceramic mug product photograph with the exact text NORTH 26 on a transparent background.",
"size": "1536x1024",
"quality": "medium",
"complexity": "low",
"background": "transparent",
"output_format": "png"
}Output Results
Example 2
Input Parameters
{
"model": "gpt-image-2.6-flare",
"prompt": "Create a seamless loop of an orange toy robot waving once, with a fixed camera and consistent body.",
"output_format": "gif",
"frame_count": 9,
"frame_duration_ms": 200,
"size": "auto",
"quality": "medium",
"complexity": "low"
}Output Results
Example 3
Input Parameters
{
"model": "gpt-image-2.6-flare",
"prompt": "Create an editable two-color vector illustration of a cup beside a leaf, with no text.",
"output_format": "svg",
"n": 1,
"quality": "medium",
"complexity": "low"
}Output Results
Quick Actions
Technical Specifications
- Hardware Type
- OpenAI-hosted Image API; no public self-hosted checkpoint or hardware specification is asserted
- Commercial Use
- Subject to OpenAI service terms, usage policies and third-party rights. Output ownership terms are not a guarantee of uniqueness or copyright eligibility.
- Pricing
- $5/M text input; $1.25/M cached text input; $8/M image input; $2/M cached image input; $30/M image output. Per-result cost varies; SVG additionally includes authoring-model tokens.
- Platform
- OpenAI